Manchester United captain Gary Neville says that team-mate Wayne Rooney must help England achieve success for the first time since 1966 in order to be remembered as a great on the international stage.

High hopes: Wayne Rooney is a pivotal figure for EnglandPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Mark Ogden

7:30AM GMT 02 Mar 2010

Rooney has emerged as a pivotal figure in England's World Cup hopes in South Africa after scoring 28 goals in all competitions this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has suggested that Rooney has earned comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, while leading World Cup coaches have pinpointed him as a potential star of South Africa 2010.

But former England defender Neville believes Rooney can not yet be billed as a great.

"Wayne is a great player to play with," Neville said. "He is so enthusiastic and he is one of the brilliant players that Manchester United have had.

"He has been brilliant for England too, but the only thing he has to do for England now is go and win something to be recognised as a great player.